Beet-topper.



No. 877,975. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

C. L. WINTERBURN.

BBBT TOPPER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1907.-

Witnesses 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

0. L. WINTERBURN. 'BEBT TOPPBR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1907. I

I 2 SHEBTS-SHBET 2.

Witnesses THE NORRIS PETERS c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BEET-TOPPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application filed March 7. 1907. Serial No. 361.116.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. WINTER- BURN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Beet Toppers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in root harvesting machines.

This invention relates particularly to improvements in the toppingmechanism for beet topping machines and is especially designed for usein the structure illustrated and described in Letters Patent No.816,633, issued to me on April 1906, although it is adapted anddesirable for use on other structures.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved toppingmechanism for beet harvesting machines in which the tops are efiectivelyremoved and delivered so that they do not interfere with the pullingmechanism and are not mixed with the roots after the roots are pulled.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction, willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which,

Figure l is a detail perspective of a structure embodying the featuresof my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on aline corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thelittle arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout both views.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the main frame of the machine. Atthe forward end of this frame is a cross bar 2 carried by suitablehangers 3 at each end thereof. The hangers 3 serve as bearings for thehorizontally-arranged shaft 4 on which is a beveled gear 5 arranged tomesh with the beveled gear 6 on the upper end of the upright orvertically-arranged shaft 7. supported in suitable bearings carried byThe shaft 7 is the yoke 8 depending from the cross bar or piece 2.

I provide a sharelike knife 14 which is arranged at an angle-to the lineof draft of the .machine and is adapted to sever the tops from the rootsas the machine advances along the row. At the rear edge of the knife 14and preferably secured thereto is a mold board-like deflector plate 13.The knife and deflector plate are carried by the arms 9 and 12 dependingfrom the frame.

On the shaft 7 I arrange a pair of sprocket wheels 15 for the sprocketchains 16. These sprocket wheels are secured to and driven by the shaft.A pair of corresponding idler sprockets 21 are mounted on the shaft 10.The shafts 7 and 10 are arranged so that they are substantially at equaldistances from the deflector plate. I provide the chains 16 with fingers17 which are adapted to engage the tops as they are severed, and carrythe same rearwardly and to one side out of the way of the puller. As thepulling mechanism forms no part of this invention, I do not hereillustrate the same.

The deflector 13 holds the tops upon the fingers so that they areeffectively carried thereby. The fingers further serve to assist insevering the tops from the roots as they engage the same at about thesame time at which the knives engage them. The shafts 7 and 10 arepreferably connected by the adjustable bars 18, so that the propertension of the chain may be maintained. I preferably accomplish thisadjustment by means of the bolt 19 arranged through the slot 20 in oneof the bars. By this arrangement of the parts, the tops are effectivelyremoved and. are delivered at one side entirely out of the way of thepuller.

I have illustrated two chains, but find that the upper chain may beomitted and satisfactory results still be secured.

I have illustrated and described my improved topping mechanism in detailin the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity. Iam, however, aware that it is capable of considerable variation instructural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described,

the combination with the main frame, of a knife arranged horizontallyand at an angle to the line of draft; a deflector late secured to therear edge of said kni'e; a driven sprocket; an idler sprocket; and achain carried thereby having outwardly-projecting fingers adapted tocoact with said knife and deflector plate, as described.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the mainframe, of a knife arranged horizontally and at an angle to the line ofdraft; a deflector plate ar ranged at the rear of said knife; a drivensprocket; an idler sprocket; and a chain carried thereby havingoutwardly-projecting fingers adapted to coact with said knife anddeflector plate, as described. Y

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the mainframe, of a knife; a deflector plate secured to the rear,

edge of said knife; a driven sprocket; an

idler sprocket; and a chain carried thereby having outwardly-projectingfingers adapted to coact with said knife and deflector plate, asdescribed. I

4. In a structure of the class described,

the combination with the main frame, of a knife; a deflector platearranged at the rear of said knife; a driven sprocket; an idlersprocket; and a chain carried thereby having outwardly-projectingfingers adapted to coact with said knife and deflector plate, asdescribed.

In witness whereof I- have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

CLARENCE L. WINTERBURN.

